by Kitty Bean Yancey, USA TODAY

by Kitty Bean Yancey, USA TODAY

The picturesque, laid-back Southern destination where The Big Chill was filmed won Coastal Living's annual "America's Happiest Seaside Town." contest and is featured in the June issue of the magazine.

Coastal Living editors first picked 10 "Happiest Seaside Towns" and invited the public to vote online or via smartphone. Here's how the picks stacked up in the vote:

1. Beaufort

2. Harwich Port, Mass.

3. Sanibel Island, Fla.

4. Sag Harbor, N.Y.

5. Newport, R.I.

6. Rowayton, Conn.

7. Kennebunkport, Maine

8. Pa'ia Town, Maui, Hawaii

9. La Jolla, Calif.

10. Pescadero, Calif.

Coastal Living editors picked finalists based on criteria including the Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index, percentage of sunny days, healthiness of beaches, commute times, walkability, standard of living and financial well-being of residents and the "editorial assessment of 'coastal vibe.' " Past happy seaside towns were not eligible. For more info, visit the Coastal Living website's "happiest town" area.